Answer to Question #155707 in Civil and Environmental Engineering for Alwande

Question

A builder has to lift a steel block with dimensions 2 m by 0.25 m by 0.25 m. The steel 

has a density of 7.5 g/cm3

. His lifting gear can lift a maximum load of 50 kg. Can the 

lifting gear be used to lift the steel block? Justify your decision with relevant 

calculations.

Answer 1

Solution

Determine the mass of the block by multiplying it's density by it's volume.

Volume = L x W x H

= 2 x 0.25 x 0.25

= 0.125 m³

1g/cm³ = 1000kg/m³

Therefore; 7.5g/cm³ = (7.5 x 1000) kg/m³

= 7500kg/m³

Mass = Density x Volume

= 7500kg/m³ x 0.125m³

= 937.5kg

Answer: The lifting gear can not be used to lift the steel block because it's weight is above 50kg which is the lifting gear's maximum load capacity.